RIYADH: Saudi Arabia expressed its full support for measures taken by the Lebanese government to confront attempts to tamper with the security of Lebanese citizens, and to deal firmly with the perpetrators of an attack on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“The Kingdom renewed its support and confidence in the measures taken by His Excellency President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in this regard, and the national tasks carried out by the Lebanese Army that contribute to achieving security and stability,” read a statement by the foreign ministry on Sunday.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has pledged to bring the assailants behind the criminal attack on a UN peacekeeping force to justice.
A UNIFIL deputy commander was wounded on Friday when the convoy he travelled in was attacked by protesters who set his UN vehicle on fire.
Salam had directed the Lebanese interior minister to take immediate action to identify the assailants, arrest them, and refer them to the judicial body.
Supporters of the Lebanese Shiite Islamist movement Hezbollah have clashed with the Lebanese Army amidst a Hezbollah-organised rally to block the road to Beirut International Airport over a decision to bar two Iranian flights from landing there.
Several videos shared online show a group of young men, carrying yellow flags affiliated with Hezbollah, chase and beat what appear to be peacekeepers in a white UN vehicle as they attempt to flee.
